“Do I Have to Confess the Hemorrhoid Thing?” by Sharon Gerger

In 1962 I was six years old, and my family moved south from a small town to a big city. I started grade two that September. The first day, I sat in class at St. Mary’s as my teacher, Miss Forte, instructed us to write a story about our summer vacation.

Writing stories was my favorite part of school. I was pretty excited as I handed it in. She looked at it and looked angry. She sent me and my paper out into the hall with instructions to knock on the door of the next classroom.

I no longer remember that teacher’s name, but I do remember her cruelty. Miss Forte hollered at her to look at what I had done. She looked at my paper, then ordered me to follow her to the office whereupon she hit my tiny hands with a leather strap, five times on each hand.

I don't remember the pain, only the terror. I had never been hit before and not since.

I had no idea what I’d done to deserve this treatment. Did I curse or was it sloppy or riddled with spelling and grammar errors? I still don’t know and never will. I was too ashamed to tell my parents. I’m sure that if a record was made, it has long since been destroyed.

It scared me into trying to be invisible. I did okay in school, neither well, nor poorly enough to draw attention to myself. These two teachers succeeded in making me a timid and nervous student.

I was afraid to take any chances with my writing. I focused instead on the penmanship being neat and the spelling and grammar being as perfect as I could manage. I didn’t search for better, more complex words. I didn’t risk sacrificing perfect structure to get the feeling of anxiety or anger or joy I wanted to create in a story. I wrote perfectly boring crap. 

I've prayed those women suffered with hemorrhoids every day since. Actually, I don’t pray. Bobby-pin chewing nuns at the same school stole my desire to be a good Catholic girl. Back then, females had to cover their heads in a church. The nuns who guarded the door as the kids walked into the church to attend weekly Mass, stood ready with bobby pins and paper towels. I am certain they purposely chewed the smooth plastic tips off the bobby pins they used to pin paper towels to the heads of the sinful girls, who like me, often forgot to bring a hat to school. I still have scars on my scalp.

In my thirties, I took a writing class, and I discovered I still loved to write. I've had a few pieces published, won some contests and have had the time of my life doing something I love to do.

Despite Miss Forte, I am a writer.

And I know my soul is clean and shiny, with or without a paper towel hat.

***

Note:  Quick Brown Fox always welcomes essays about a favourite book or about your experience of reading or writing – and other essays, too. Read a few essays on the blog to get a taste of what other writers have done (see here and scroll down).

QBF also welcomes your book reviews – or any kind of review of anything, anywhere or anybody. If you want to review your favourite coffee shops or libraries, babysitters or lovers (no real names please), go for it. See examples of book reviews here (and scroll down); other reviews here (and scroll down).

Submit to: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Include a short bio at the end of your piece and attach a photo of yourself if you have one that’s okay.

Sharon Gerger is an award-winning writer with work published in New Yorker, Glimmer Train, Harpe...okay, that’s all balderdash. She writes a lot and sometimes people publish her work and that fills her with bliss. If they happen to pay her; well, good-gosh-galoshes, she gets sorta delirious. Visit her blog here and follow her on Twitter here.

See Brian Henry’s schedule here, including writing workshops, weekly writing classes, and weekend retreats in Algonquin Park, Bolton, Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Collingwood, Georgetown, Georgina, Guelph, Hamilton, Jackson’s Point, Kingston, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Midland, Mississauga, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, Saint John, NB, Sudbury, Toronto, Windsor, Woodstock, Halton, Muskoka, Peel, Simcoe, York Region, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, reviewed by Gail M. Murray

Published by St. Martins Press, 2015, available from Indigo in hardcover ($28.92), paperback ($15.39) or audiobook ($40.07) here. Or from Amazon.ca, including a Kinndle edition ($8.99) here.

Kristin Hannah not only engages the reader, but makes us care deeply about innocent people living through war. Hannah was inspired after reading Little Cyclone by Airey Neave (available from Indigo here), the true story of Andree du Jongh, a Belgian woman, who developed the escape routes out of Nazi-occupied France through the Pyrenees. 

Hannah’s powerful and compelling story follows the lives of two sisters throughout occupied France during WWII. Through these women, the reader experiences the courage required for everyday life in wartime. Hannah is a master of creating and developing character. The reader cannot help be drawn in.

Their father, Julien Rossignol, a Parisian poet and bookseller, abandoned his daughters to a housekeeper at Le Jardin, their summer home, and two weeks after their mother’s death “Papa gave up being a father” (p. 7).

The girls are “so far apart in age {ten years} it was as if they were from different families” (p.8). Vianne is the eldest and a beauty with her porcelain skin and strawberry blonde hair. She  finds love and a protector at an early age with Antione. Dark, willful and impatient Isabelle never feels loved and is cloying in her neediness. “This essential difference has always been between them. Vianne the rule follower and Isabelle the rebel.” (p.15)

I admire Vianne’s quiet courage, her ability to carry on and fly under the radar and not draw attention to herself as she raises a young daughter alone, her husband is a German prison camp.

Isabelle’s anger causes to her act rashly, to deface a German propaganda poster and be noticed, luckily for her, not by Gestapo, but by resistance fighters. These men invite her to join their group. Perhaps Isabelle takes chances because she feels unloved, unworthy. Even in the novel’s passionate moments with Gaetan, she can’t express her feelings. Yet her torture described in graphic detail and her harrowing suffering in Ravenstock, a Nazi prison, gains her our sympathy and compassion. The title comes from her code name and I wonder if the author thought of the symbolism; i.e. as the male nightingale sings and the female is associated with sacrifice and loss.

Kristin Hannah

Secondary characters provide a German perspective. Captain Beck of The Wehrmacht is billeted with Vianne. He is not the stereotypical German (vicious and arrogant) but reminiscent of the soldier in Irene Nemirovsky’s Suite Francaise. 

Handsome, blond Beck is a gentleman and family man who shows Vianne small kindnesses by locating her husband’s prisoner of war camp and facilitating delivery of letters and care packages, and sharing a fish he has caught. 

We are never completely sure if he is motivated by decency or his attraction to Vianne but her loyalty to her husband prevails and Beck does not force himself on her as he could.

Early on we see Beck is a romantic, enjoying the starlight in the orchard. Vianne senses sadness about him and feels a connection; they were alike in a way, both of them far away from the people they love. Later when he offers her a glass of wine; the air is erotic. “His touch felt hot against her cold hands…..the scent of black cherries and dark rich earth….his voice as sweet and rich as the wine.” (p. 232) I found myself hoping for a tryst. Yet when he must act as a soldier he does.

As the war heats up the novel turns dark. We fear for Vianne when cruel and vindictive Von Richter questions her after Beck’s disappearance, frisking her for weapons “sliding his spidery fingers across her breast.” (p.394) This act foreshadows the brutality to come. Vianne not only survives but prevails and out of love risks her life to save her neighbour’s Jewish children.

Hannah’ seamless writing weaves in exacting historical detail, capturing the mood of the time. Each sister grows in depth and strength as this engrossing story is played out and are re-united in the closing chapters. This is a novel to read and re-read. Not surprisingly it will soon be a major motion picture.

***

Note: Quick Brown Fox welcomes your book reviews – or any kind of review of anything, anywhere or anybody. If you want to review your favourite coffee shops or libraries, babysitters or lovers (no real names please), go for it. See examples of book reviews here (and scroll down); other reviews here (and scroll down).

QBF also welcomes essays about a favourite book or about your experience of reading or writing – and other essays, too. Read a few essays on the blog to get a taste of what other writers have done (see here and scroll down).

Submit to: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Include a short bio at the end of your piece and attach a photo of yourself if you have one that’s okay.

Gail M. Murray seeks to capture the essence of the moment; her writing is a response to her natural and emotional environment. Her poems have been published in Blank Spaces,  Wordscape, Arborealis and on CommuterLit. Her creative nonfiction has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Trellis, Heartbeats, Renaissance, NOW Magazine, Blank Spaces, Our Canada and More of Our Canada.

See Brian’s complete current schedule here, including Saturday workshops, weekly writing classes, and weekend retreats in Algonquin Park, Alliston, Bolton, Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Collingwood, Georgetown, Georgina, Guelph, Hamilton, Jackson’s Point, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Midland, Mississauga, New Tecumseth, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, Sudbury, Toronto, Windsor, Woodstock, Halton, Muskoka, Peel, Simcoe, York Region, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Laurel Symonds joins Bent Agency, seeks Picture Books, Chapter Books, Middle Grade and Young Adult; 11 other Bent agents also seek authors

The Caged Queen by Kristen Ciccarelli
represented by The Bent Agency

The Bent Agency

19 West 21^st Street,
Suite 201
Brooklyn, NY 10010

And

21 Melliss Avenue

Richmond TW9 4BQ

http://www.thebentagency.com/

Note: Don't ever miss a post on Quick Brown Fox. Add your email to the Follow Brian by Email box to the right under my bio, and get each post delivered to your Inbox.

If you’re not yet on my newsletter list, send me an email, including your locale to brianhenry@sympatico.ca ~Brian

Since Jenny Bent left Trident Media in 2009, the Bent Agency has grown into a mid-size trans-Atlantic agency with twelve agents. But it’s still a young agency, and most of the agents there are very actively looking for authors. They represent all sorts of nonfiction and fiction for all ages, and it’s worth checking them out.

Laurel Symonds is the newest member of the team, and like all new agents, she needs author. Laurel specializes in children's and young adult fiction and nonfiction, from picture books to young adult.

Laurel began her publishing career in the editorial department of HarperCollins Children’s Books/Katherine Tegen Books in New York City. In the past decade, she’s also held positions in the marketing department at a small publishing house, in a library, and as a bookseller at one of the nation’s best independent bookstores. 

“What I love about agenting,” says Laurel, “is being the author’s number one cheerleader through all these parts of the publication process!”

Laurel is seeking young adult and middle-grade fiction with earnest, engaging voices set in immersive worlds. Fantasy, contemporary, historical settings, retellings, and manuscripts with unique elements are of specific interest. In particular, {like everyone else in the publishing world}, she’s seeking voices that have previously been underrepresented and stories that have been overlooked. She’s also interested in middle-grade that might lend itself to illustration.

For chapter books and picture books, Laurel is seeking authors and illustrators (or author-illustrators) who bring a unique vision to their stories. In chapter books, she’s seeking sweet realistic or mystery series. Her picture book tastes are diverse, ranging from sophisticated to quirky to gently humorous.

Laurel is interested in art in all mediums, but she especially appreciates a smart use of color and perspective.

In nonfiction for children and young adults, Laurel is seeking biographies, histories, and explorations of STEM elements, especially projects with series potential. She’s also interested in prospective authors with an established expertise and/or platform that lends itself to expansion into the children’s market.

Query Laurel at: symondsqueries@thebentagency.com  

Include the title of your project in the subject line of your email. Then paste the first ten pages of your book into the body of your email. No attachments. Full submission guidelines here.

Author Jennifer Mook-Sang will be one of
the guest speakers for the Writing Kid Lit course

If you’re interested in Writing for Children or for Young Adults, Brian Henry will lead a Writing Kid Lit weekly course on Friday afternoons, Oct 5 – Nov 30 in Toronto (see here) and on Thursday evenings, Jan 24 – March 28, in Oakville (see here). 

He'll also lead a Writing for Children & for Young Adults workshop Saturday, October 13, in Sudbury (see here).

For updated listings of Writing for Children & for Young adult workshops and for weekly Kid lit classes, see here (and scroll down).

If you’re interested in getting published, soon or somewhere down the road, don’t miss the upcoming How to Get Published workshop Saturday, Nov 17, in Mississauga with literary agent Stephanie Sinclair (see here). 

For updated listing of How to Get Published workshops see here (and scroll down).

Also coming soon: How to Build Your Story: Plotting novels & Writing short stories, Saturday, Oct 20, in Waterloo (see here), Saturday, Nov 24 in Alliston (see here) and Saturday, Jan 19 in Oakville (see here).

And don't miss How to Write a Bestseller with New York Times #1 bestselling author  Kelley Armstrong (see here). 

The Briars

Two weekend writing retreats:

November at the Briars Writing Retreat, Friday, Nov 2 – Sunday, Nov 4: two nights and three precious days of writing bliss. Details here.

Algonquin Writing Retreat, Friday, May 31 – Monday, June 3, 2019: four days in the luxurious isolation of Arowhon Pines Resort to get down to some real creative growth. Details here.

In both these retreats, you’ll recharge your creative batteries and get some great writing tips – all in the supportive company of your fellow writers.

Fall courses with spaces still available: 

Writing Personal Stories, Thursday evenings, Oct 4 – Nov 29, in Burlington. See here. 

Writing Kid Lit, Friday afternoons, Oct 5 – Dec 6, in Toronto. See here.

Details of all fall courses here.

Winter courses (Details of all 5 classes here):

Exploring Creative Writing, Thursday afternoons, Jan 24 – April 5 (no class March 14), in Burlington.

Writing Kid Lit, Thursday evenings, Jan 24 – March 28 (no class March 14), in Oakville.

Intensive Creative Writing, Tuesday afternoons, Jan 22 – April 2 (no class March 12); first readings emailed Jan 15, in Burlington.

Intensive Creative Writing, Wednesday evenings Jan 23 – April 3 (no class March 13); first readings emailed Jan 16, in Burlington.

Intensive Creative Writing, Friday mornings Jan 25 – April 5 / 12 (10 or 11 weeks, no class March 13); first readings emailed Jan 16, in Toronto.

            Details of all 5 classes here.

Read reviews of Brian’s courses, retreats, and workshops here.

See Brian’s complete current schedule here,  including Saturday writing workshops, weekly writing classes, and weekend retreats in Algonquin Park, Alliston, Bolton, Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Collingwood, Georgetown, Georgina, Guelph, Hamilton, Jackson’s Point, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Midland, Mississauga, New Tecumseth, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, Sudbury, Toronto, Windsor, Woodstock, Halton, Muskoka, Peel, Simcoe, York Region, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Navigation tips: Always check out the Labels underneath a post; they’ll lead you to various distinct collections of postings. If you're searching for more interviews with literary agents or a literary agent who represents a particular type of book, check out this post.

Congratulations to Izzy, Blake and Barbara on getting published and to Jan for placing in the Galbraith Award contest

Yay, Izzy!

Note: If you’ve had a story (or a book!) published or you’ve placed in a writing contest or have any other news, send me an email so I can share your success and we can all encourage each other. And be sure to let know if you have something for "Writer to Writer" (you're looking for a writers' group or beta readers, for examples). Email me at: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Hi, Brian!

I just wanted to touch base and say that I really enjoyed your workshop in Bolton a few months ago!

 I also wanted to tell you that I have had 3 stories on Commuter Lit in the last 3 weeks!

 One of them, “The Canoe,” I wrote at your workshop. It was one of the challenges you assigned over lunch!

 Have a great weekend,

 Izzy

Isolde Ryan

Izzy’s author page at CommuterLit has links to all her stories (four of them now!). See here.

For information on submitting to CommuterLit, see here.

Brian,

I had to share this with you.

It appears that I’m a semi-finalist for the John Kenneth Galbraith Literary !!!!   First time EVER!!!!

Jan Collis

The John Kenneth Galbraith Literary Award is the best big-prize writing contest in Canada. It’s not well-known (except maybe to followers of Quick Brown Fox) and pays out a $2,000 prize. Details here.

Good morning, Brian,

I just had my first short story published. Every time I go to one of your workshops I come away with new tools and ideas that help me improve. Hopefully this is just the beginning.

Thanks,

Blake

Read Blake’s short story, “Pavlov Dawning” here.

For information on submitting to Contrary, see here.

Barbara taking it easy at the Algonquin Writers Retreat

Hi, Brian.

A bit of news from me – Nov/Dec Reader's Digest Our Canada will have my story, “Ski Day with Dad,” as it's feature article (with pictures). My dad is not nearly as excited about it as I am!

Take care.

Barbara Baker

Yay Barbara! I'm buying that issue for sure.

See Brian’s schedule here, including Saturday writing workshops, weekly writing classes, and weekend retreats in Algonquin Park, Alliston, Bolton, Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Collingwood, Georgetown, Georgina, Guelph, Hamilton, Jackson’s Point, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Midland, Mississauga, New Tecumseth, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, Sudbury, Toronto, Windsor, Woodstock, Halton, Muskoka, Peel, Simcoe, York Region, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.